Egypt will welcome Cape Verde to the Cairo International Stadium on Friday as both teams kick off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The Pharaohs, aiming for a record 27th appearance in the competition, will be hoping to replicate their dominant qualifying form from the previous edition, where they won five of their six matches.
The most successful team in the Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt, will begin their journey to another edition of the competition, looking to appear for the 27th time. The Pharaohs failed to make it past the round of 16 in Ivory Coast at the last edition earlier this year, losing via penalties to DR Congo after a 1-1 draw in normal time.
Having last won the competition in 2010, the seven-time champions, marshalled by record scorer Hossam Hassan, will be hoping to replicate their seamless qualifying campaign for the last edition, having won five and losing just one of six matches. Egypt were in competitive action during the last international window in June, beating Burkina Faso 2-1 before a 1-1 draw with Guinea-Bissau in World Cup qualifying matches, leaving them in pole position in their group. Hassan will hope his side can replicate their form in the World Cup qualifiers as they kick off the AFCON qualifiers - the Pharaohs have three wins and a draw in four World Cup qualifying matches.
The Battle for AFCON Qualification
Egypt and Cape Verde have faced each other once before in the 2023 AFCON group stage, resulting in a dramatic 2-2 draw. Both teams scored a goal in stoppage time, making for an exciting encounter that set the tone for the upcoming match. The Blue Sharks performed admirably in the last AFCON, reaching the quarterfinal where they lost to South Africa via penalties after a goalless draw – and form they extended beyond the competition, having won three of their four matches since then including a 1-0 victory over Libya last time out in a World Cup qualifying match.
Egypt's Strengths and Tactical Approach
Egypt's squad boasts a blend of experienced players and promising young talents, led by the prolific Mohamed Salah. Salah will be aiming to score in consecutive matches after netting the only goal against Guinea-Bissau. Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush has returned to the Egypt squad after missing the June matches due to a hand injury. Al Ahly goalkeeper Hamza Alaa, who made a tournament-high 21 saves during the Paris Olympics, has earned a first senior call-up alongside Mohamed Shehata (Zamalek) and Khaled Sobhi (Ceramica Cleopatra).
Cape Verde's Defensive Prowess and Counter-Attacking Threat
Cape Verde's strength lies in their disciplined defense, which has allowed them to keep clean sheets in five of their last six matches across all competitions. The Blue Sharks are likely to retain their attacking quartet of Jovane Cabral, Bebe, Joao Monteiro, and Ryan Mendes for this encounter. Diney Borges, who scored the winning goal in the last game against Libya, is expected to partner with Logan Costa in central defence.
Preview and Prediction
Egypt, with their strong squad and recent form, are the favourites to win this clash. They have a strong track record in AFCON qualifying matches, losing just one of the last 12. Cape Verde have a solid defense and are now a force in African football – however, they have found it difficult to pick up results on the road against top oppositions, which is why we think the hosts will win this one.
Key Players to Watch
Egypt
- Mohamed Salah: The Liverpool star is a key player for Egypt and is expected to lead the attack.
- Omar Marmoush: The Eintracht Frankfurt forward is returning from injury and could be a key player in Egypt's attacking line.
- Hamza Alaa: The young goalkeeper is making his senior debut and will be eager to impress.
Cape Verde
- Jovane Cabral: The forward is a key player for Cape Verde and is expected to lead the attack.
- Ryan Mendes: The experienced forward is a key player for Cape Verde and is known for his pace and finishing ability.
- Diney Borges: The defender is a key player for Cape Verde and is known for his strong defensive abilities.
Where to Watch the Game
The match will be televised live on various channels, including beIN SPORTS CONNECT. You can also stream the match online via VAVEL US.
Looking Ahead
This match is just the beginning of a long and exciting journey for both Egypt and Cape Verde as they aim for glory in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The Pharaohs will be looking to build momentum and establish themselves as a dominant force in the qualifying stage, while the Blue Sharks will be hoping to cause an upset and prove themselves as a team to be reckoned with.
